Registering device



Sept. -1, 19 6- P. c. PRIESTMAN ET AL REGISTERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 27, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 a o: nw o g I. 3

6. 000 mum ooooooooo mg Sept. 1, 1936.

P. C. PRIESTMAN ET AL REGI STERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 27, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 1, 1936 PATENT OFFICE REGISTERING DEVICE Percy Claude Priestman, Sudbury, and Percy Lionel Grant, Ealing, London, England Application January 2'1, 1934, Serial No. 708,672 In Great Britain February 2, 1933 8 Claims.

The present invention relates tothe type of calculating apparatus comprising a set of rotatable registering members, such as figure drums, representing units, tens, and so forth, transfer mechanism for carrying forward tens, hundreds, and so forth from these members respectively to the members of next higher denomination, and associated with emh of the registering members a slidable actuating element, such as a perforated or indented bar, drivably connected with the registering member and adapted to be moved by engaging, for example by means of a pointer, a perforation or indentation representing the number required to be added, and sliding the actuating element until the pointer or the like meets a stationary stop, whereby one or more of the registering members is rotated so as to add that number to the indicated total.

An object of the present invention is to adapt calculating apparatus of this type to the purpose of computing and registering scores in games, such for example as contract or auction bridge, so as to provide a scorer which is of relatively simple construction, but is nevertheless reliable and easily operated.

According to the present invention, calculating apparatus of the type hereinbefore set forth is provided with one set of rotatable registering members and associated slidable actuating elements for registering a running total, such as the above the line total in bridge scoring, with a second set of rotatable registering members and associated therewith slidable actuating elements for registering short totals, such as trick totals in bridge scoring, and with-connecting means adapted to couple each registering member of the second-mentioned set to the corresponding registering member of the first-mentioned set in such a manner that any number added to the 49 short total by operation of the short-total actuating elements is simultaneously added to the running total, while operation of the runningtotal actuating elements changes the indication of only the running-total registering members.

A further object is to provide a mechanical bridge scorer which follows, as closely as possible, the arrangement of conventional printed sheets used for recording scores in bridge and which is therefore easily understood by a player.

A still further object is to provide in a mechanical scorer, means which indicate that a particular number of points, for instance game points in bridge, have been registered. irrespective of whether the short-total register has been reset to zero or not.

Yet other objects are to prevent inopportune movement of the automatic indicating means, and to ensure that these means are reset at appropriate times.

The invention will be described as applied to 5 a scorer for the game of contract bridge, with reference to. the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan of the apparatus with part of the cover broken away, 10

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary inverted plan showing trip mechanism,

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional side elevations, taken on the line 33 in Fig. 2, showing the parts in difierent operative positions, 15

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of a detail taken on the line 5--5 in Fig. 2,

Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively sectional side elevations of details taken on the lines 6-6 and 1-1 in Fig. 1, the parts more clearly shown in 20 Figures 3, 4 and 9 being omitted for the sake of clarity,

Fig. 8 is a sectional side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 6, in a different operative position,

Fig. 9 is a sectional side elevation of a detail 25 taken on the line 9-9 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 10 is a transverse section on the line Iii-I0 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus comprises two substantially similar portions, for indicating the operator's 30 and his opponents scores respectively. The indicating elements are mounted in a frame which comprises two side plates I0 united by three channel shaped cross members 10', I0", and I0. The frame is housed in a flanged cover I I. 35 In Fig. 1 the cover is shown broken to reveal the interior portion of the mechanism that indicates the opponents score. The following description of the score-indicating mechanism applies equally well to either portion. corresponding ele- 40 merits of the two portions being denoted by the same reference symbols.

For registering trick points there are three drums 12a, 12b and I20 having the numerals 0 to 9 evenly spaced round their periphery. The 45 drums are journalled on a spindle I3, and the numerals on the drums can be brought, one at a time, opposite indicating apertures Ha, Nb and I40 in the cover II.

The trip mechanism for transferring tens from 5 the units drum Ila to the tens drum I2b is shown. in Figs. 2 to 4. A lever I5 pivoted on a fixed pin I6, is urged towards the spindle I3 by a leaf spring I1 which is located in a slot I8 in the frame cross member Ill and which bears 55 t the ratchet wheel 2212 by a leaf spring 25. A stop lug 26 on the lever l5 co-operates with the ratchet wheel 22b.

Spring tongues 27a, 21b and 270 fixed to the member l0 prevent the drumsfrom rotating backwards. While the lever I5 is being moved away from the spindle l3 by rotation of the units drum from positions eight to nought the pawl'23 slips one tooth of the wheel 221) (Fig.

'4). As the units drum attains the nought position the pin 2fl a disengages from the projection ZI (Fig; 3), and this allows the lever l5 to spring back to its normal position, the spring l1 imparting through the lever l5 and pawl 23 a rotation of one-tenth of a revolution to the tens drum l2b, and the stop lug 26 prevente ing the drum from rotating too far. A similar trip mechanism is provided between the tens and hundreds drums. V r

For registering the total score there are provided'four'drums 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, journaled on a common spindle 3i and provided respectively with ratchet wheels 132a, 3212.320 and 32d. *These drums are provided with trip mech-' anism and spring tonguesfor preventing backward rotation, similar to, those described with reference to thedrums 211, 12?), and I20. The numerals on thedrums 30a, 38b, 30c and 30d can be brought, one at a timejopposite'indicating apertures 33a. 33b, 33c and 33d in the cover II.

For actuating each of the trick and total drums there is provided a slidable rack member. The racks actuating the units, tens and hundreds trick drums are denoted by 34a, 34b and 340 respectively, and those actuating the "units, tens, hundreds and thousands total drums are denoted by 35a, 35b, 35c and 3511 respectively... Parts of the units racks 34a and 35a andof the tens rack 34b are shown broken away in Fig. 1 so as to reveal the parts beneath; Asthe several pairs of racks actuating corresponding trick and total drums are similar, it will be sufiicient to describe the pair, 34b and 352), that operate the .tens.drums' lZb and 3%.

Corresponding parts of the various racks are de-,

noted, in the drawings by the same reference numerals, distinguished by the letters a,"b, c and d for the units, tens, hundreds and "thousands racks respectively; The trick-scoring rack 34b (Fig. 6) comprises a portion of inverted channel section embracing a channel section guide rail 35b fixedtothe crossv member l0" and provided with nine undercut teeth 34b adapted to mesh with the ratchet Wheel 2212. The upper portion of the channel is provided with nine holes 37b, spaced at the same pitchfas the rack teeth. A spring extension 38b of the perforated channel terminates in a downwardly turned hook 39bwhich is adapted to spring behindthe end of a guide rail 4% fixed to the cross memberilll". ,fIhe cover H is provided with a slot llb,.through which the holes3'lb are nor.-

mally exposedgnl merals from 1 to 9 and denot ing tens beingengraved alongside the slot in as:

cending order away from the aperture Mb.

' cover. cross member "1", and the spring extension 46b,

7 the drum indications to zero.

The rack 35b (Fig. 7) for operating the "total tens drum 30b is generally similar to the trick rack 34b,'except that it is turned end from end. It is provided with teeth 42b and holes 431) normally visible through a slot 44b in the It is guided by a rail 45b 'fixed to the which bears against the under surface of the cover. H, terminates in an attachment 41b for a tension spring 48b which is fixed to the frame at-49b. The upper end of the rack is provided with a lug 5% adapted to engage with the hook 3% on the trick rack 34b (Fig. 6).

.The clearance between the rails 36b and 45b. and thecover israther more than is required to accommodate the racks, so that the racks, though normally engaged with the wheels 2211 and 32b respectively, are free to rise out of engagement with these wheels when necessary.

Since the racks are placed above the figure drums with which they are associated, each rack is provided with a rectangular opening which registers with the uppermost cypher on the figure drum when the rack is in its normal rest position and so enables this cypher to be read through the appropriate indicating aperture in, the cover. The rectangular openings 'in'theracks 34b and 35b aredenoted respectively by 34b' and 35b.

Resetting mechanism is provided for returning The spindles l3 and SI can be rotated by resetting knobs 5i and 52 respectively,and each drum is provided with a pawl mechanism similar to that shown inFig. 5, which shows drum Mb. The spindle is provided with. an undercut groove 53, and a slot 54 is cut in the boss of the drum, which is hollow. A

spring pawl 55 has one end hookedround the pin 28b, and the other end passes through the slot 54 and presses radially against the spindle. Thus the drum is free to rotate normally (clockwise in Fig. 5) relatively to the spindle, but if the spindle is rotated clockwise by operation of the reset-. ting knob, the spring 55 engages with the undercut side of the'groove 53 so that the drum is constrained to rotate with the spindle. j

The apparatus is operated as follows. To add a number, say thirty, to thetrick total, a pointer is inserted through the slot Mb adjacent to the 3 marked alongside the slot so as to engage the perforation 3'lbthat is opposite that numeral. The rack 34b'is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel 22b by the pressure of the pointer, and the pointer is moved towards the operator until it comes to the end of the slot. This operation causes the rack 34b to rotate the drum IZb farenough to add thirty to the indicated trick total; since the hook39b on this rack is engaged with the lug 5% on the total tens rack 351), the latter rack is moved also, and since it is held by the spring extension 46b in engagement with the ratchet wheel 32b, thirty is also added to the total registration. The pointer is now removed, and the tension spring 4% returns the two racks to their original position, the racks slipping freely over the ratchet wheels by virtue of their elastic mounting.

If it is desired to" add a score, say 50'to the total indication without changing the trick indication the pointer is inserted opposite 5 in the slot Mb and moved towards the operator. As soon as the rack 35b begins to move, the lug 50b moves from under the hook 3% (Fig. 3) and thus permits this hook to spring into engagement with the end of the rail 40?), so that'the .trick rack 34b is locked against inopportune movement.

Units, hundreds and thousands may be added by, similarly operating the pointer in the appropriate slots. 7

Whennecessary game points have been scored, the trick indication can be reset to zero, by rotating the knob 5|, without affecting the total indication.

Means may be provided for indicating automatically when a player is vulnerable. Referring to Figsl and 9,'a slide 50, having a flanged edge guided by a groove H in the frame, is urged by a spring 6! against a stop 62. This slide bears an indication V which is exposed through an aperture 63 in the cover II when the slide is drawn downwards. A lever 64, pivoted at 65 to the drum I20, is provided with a pin 66, which, as the drum moves fromits nought to its one hundred position, engages a lug 61 on the slide 60 and exposes the indication V. A lever 68 pivoted to the frame at $9 is thereupon rocked by a spring it so that its end 68' engages behind the slide'SiJ and looks it. A pin TI on the total l drum 30d is arranged to engage a lug 68" on the lever 68 as this drum is rotated from its nine thousand to its zero position. Thus, when the total indication is reset to zero, the lever 68 is tripped, and the slid-e 60 returns to its initial position.

The spindle I3 is provided with a transverse groove 12 into which the lever 64 drops while the tricks drums are being reset. By this means the pin 66 is prevented from projecting far enough to draw the slide 60 back to its full extent, so that risk of producing a vulnerability indication as a result of operation of the resetting knob 5| is obviated. When the drum H0 is rotated by the rack 340 or by the associated trip mechanism, the spindle remains stationary in the position shown in Figure 5. In consequence, the lever 64 pivoted to this drum is forced out of the groove E2 in the spindle, by a camming action with the bottom of the groove, so that the pin 66 is caused to project far enough to draw the slide 60 back to the full extent.

For the purpose of indicating the declaration there may be provided two movable members such as rotatable discs 15 and I6, marked respectively round a part of the periphery with suits and no trumps, and with the numerals 1 to '7, so arranged that any declaration can be indicated by bringing the appropriate markings opposite indicating apertures T! and 18 in a dished cover 19 secured to the top of the cover II and housing these discs, which are mounted on spindles 86 and 8!. Over these discs are respectively arcuate slots 82 and 83 alongside which are marked a corresponding series of suits and no trumps, and numerals respectively. Indentations 84 and 85 formed in the discs can be engaged by inserting the pointer through the slot so that by moving the pointer alongside a particular marking on the side of the slot the same marking on the disc is brought opposite the indicating aperture. Disposed between these discs is a quadrant shaped member 86 carried on a spindle 81, which can be operated by the pointer through a slot 88 to bring doubling indications into view in an aperture 89.

We claim:

1. A mechanical score indicator for games, comprising a rotatable registering member, a toothed wheel drivably connected with said registering member, a second rotatable registering member, a second toothed wheel drivably connected with said second registering member, parallel slidable rack members for actuating said first-named and second-named wheels respectiveiy, an abutment on one of said racks, and a projection on the other of said racks, adapted to engage behind said abutment and so disposed in relation to said abutment that on operation of the one of said racks provided with said abutment to advance the wheel associated therewith, said abutment and projection co-operate to transmit a corresponding motion to the other of said racks.

2. A mechanical score indicator for games, comprising means for registering short totals, means for registering running totals, resetting mechanism for restoring the running-total register to zero, an indicator, means actuated by said short-total register and serving to actuate said indicator upon a predetermined number being registered, and mechanism, actuated by said runhing-total register, for resetting said indicator when said running-total register is reset to zero.

3. A mechanical score indicator for games, comprising means for registering short totals, means for registering running totals, resettin mechanism for restoring the short-total register tolzero, an indicator, means actuated by said short-total register and serving to change the indication of said indicator upon a predetermined number being registered, and means, co-operating with said resetting mechanism and with said indicator-changing means, which serve, upon operation of said resetting mechansm, to prevent changing of the indication of said indicator.

4. A mechanical score indicator for games, comprising a rotatable figure drum serving to regfster short totals, a ratchet wheel adjacent to and drivably connected with said drum, a rack slidable longitudinally in one direction by an operator to advance said wheel, a rotatable figure drum serving to register running totals, the axes of said drums being parallel, a ratchet wheel adjacent to and drivably connected with said second-named drum, a second rack slidable longitudinally in the said direction by an operator to advance said second-named wheel, means for preventing reverse rotation of said wheels, spring means for automatically returning said racks in the other direction, said short-total rack being offset transversely in relation to said running-total rack, so that said short-total rack is adapted to slide parallel with said running-total rack, and a lost-motion connection between said racks, which connection, upon movement of said shorttotal rack in said first-named direction, causes said running-total rack to move simiiarly, while upon operation of said running-total rack in said first-named direction, the said connection is inoperative.

5. A mechanical score-indicator for games, comprising a rotatable registering member, a slidable rack drivably connected with said registering member, a second rotatable registering member, a rack which is drivably connected with said second-named registering member and is slidable parallel to the path of said first-named rack, a lug on said second-named rack and a projection on said first named rack adapted to engage behind one side of said lug, said lug and projection co-operating to transmit movement of said first named rack to said second named rack and permitting said second named rack to be operated independently of said first-named rack.

6. Ainechanical score indicator for games, comprising a registering drum for registering running totals, resetting means for rotating said drum to zero, a registering drum for registering short totals, a spring-loaded two-position indicator, a projection on said short-total drum, adapted, upon a predetermined registration being attained, to engage said two-position indicator and move it to its operative position, a catch for retaining said two-position indicator in its operative position, and means serving to trip said catch as a result of operation of said resetting means. a i

7. A mechanical score indicator for games, comprising a registering drum mounted on a spindle having a longitudinal groove, a pawl mounted on said drum and adapted to engage in said groove, means for rotating said spindle to reset said drum to zero, a lever pivoted on said drum about an axis parallel to the axis of said spindle and an indicator adapted to be changed by said lever upon rotation of said drum through a predetermined angle, said spindle having a transverse groove which, when said drum is being reset, is in such aposition that said lever can move into said transverse groove, its free end thereby being displaced towards the spindle axis so that said lever is incapable of changing said indicator during the resetting operation.

8. A mechanical score indicator 'for games comprising a cover having, in the part thereof which is remote from the operator when the indicator is viewed normally, an aperture and a longitudinal slot adjacent to said aperture, and

' in the part thereof nearer the operator a second aperture and a second longitudinal slot adjacent drum rotatable about a transverse axis and visible through said second-named aperture, a second longitudinally slidable rack drivably connected with said second-named drum and operable through said second-named slot, said first named rack being staggered in relation to said second-named rack so that said racks are slidable parallel to one another, and a one-way connection between said racks, said connection acting in'such a sense as to be inoperative when said first-named rack is actuated in the direction necessary to advance said figure drum associated therewith.

PERCY CLAUDE PRIESTMAN. PERCY LIONEL GRANT. 

